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Mercedes confirms FIA penalty review decision amid ongoing Alpine F1 podium fallout

Mercedes confirms FIA penalty review decision amid ongoing Alpine F1 podium fallout

McLaren and Red Bull have opted to appeal Alpine’s re-awarding of Pierre Gasly’s third-place finish at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, and Mercedes is the next team to decide its approach.

The Silver Arrows were likewise a victim of the problematic timing system that triggered time penalties to several drivers in the race, two of which were handed to Gasly.

But when FOM presented evidence of an anomaly in its timing system, backing up Alpine’s claim, the Enstone-based squad and the Frenchman were handed back their third place.

The decision meant that Isack Hadjar would be forced to cede third, sparking their appeal, along with McLaren, who also lost out on the podium after his own penalty.

George Russell finished 13th due to his own penalty, and the mistake of not serving it at the first attempt, rendering him to lose out on crucial World Championship points, with teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli taking the win.

At the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Team Principal Toto Wolff confirmed he had been in touch with the Brackley-based squad’s lawyers to discuss potential options.

And there is now confirmation of its intent to battle the decision.

Toto Wolff confirmed Mercedes was talking to lawyers about the issue

“The Stewards received a petition for Review under Article 14.1.1 of the FIA International Sporting Code from Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team on Friday 12th June 2026 in respect of the decision of the Stewards of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, Documents 99, breach of Article B1.6.3a of the FIA F1 Regulations in relation to Car 10,” the stewards’ document reads.

“The team representative is required to report to the Stewards on Saturday 20th June 2026, at 09:00 CEST in relation to the above.”

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Wolff confirmed the team’s decision, saying: “We wrote to the FIA for a right of review as well,” he confirmed to Sky Sports in Barcelona.

“To be honest, I’m not sure this is a realistic outcome, because you open up a can of worms.

“Normally, if you haven’t done that, you get a stop and go, and you didn’t do it, it’s 20 seconds. That 20 seconds would put George back to P4.

“But then what are all the other consequences?

“So, I don’t think this is going to hold with the judges, but we have to do it for George’s benefit.”

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